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New Walker ordered. What else do I need to know

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Andrew Bradley

32 Cal.
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i broke down and ordered an Uberti Walker and some 45 balls. I’ve got #10 caps and 2and3f Goex. I’m planning to shoot this for fun and as a backup on muzzleloader hunts where it’s possible to have multiple shots on pig sounders. Anything I need to get extra before it arrives and I load the monster up. I’ve had a couple revolvers in the past so I’m not a total newb, but understand some guns have quirks. I know I’ll probably have to modify the lever latch or tie it up with full house loads. Anything else I need to look for? I’ve heard about the possibility of a short arbor but won’t worry about that till I have it in hand.
 
I assume the balls are 0.454" diameter. I also assume you have a powder measure for loading the gun.

Work out with holding a 5 pound weight at arms length to build up strength to shoot that pistol.
 
You may have better luck with 30 grain charges and a 260 grain bullet? That was the service load for the Dragoon revolver.

Experiment and have fun, I am with my Dragoon
 
I found with mine that 45gr and a RB was enough for most shooting that I was doing, but then I never carried one for self-protection or any kind of hunting. Mine also came fitted with #26 Joyce nipples, which I changed out toot sweet for regular #11s. That was 32 years ago. If you ARE going to go down to 30gr of 3Fg, even with a conical, you might find that filling up the space in the chamber beneficial. Use semolina [uncooked, of course]. Full house with THIS revolver is around 55gr, but you won't be doing that very often - 330gr of powder, in my case somebody else's, is a surefire way of finding out who your REAL shooting buddies are.
 
I would measure the cylinder bore and the barrel bore first. I bought one used and the cylinder bore was not up to par to the barrel bore. Reamed the cylinder and .457 shoots best. This can happen even with new ones. Seems to be pretty random.
Going to need #11 primers.
Also it may be difficult to get the barrel off the arbor. If so a little black marking and fine filing the tight spots will fix that just don't over do it.
Possible you may need to set the arbor depth. Simple check is if or when arbor binding is freed install barrel without cylinder turned to miss mating surface and pins. If the barrel overlaps the mating surface then the arbor hole is too deep. If too deep make shim for bottom of hole sized so barrel just meets mating surface. Drop of good glue, oil arbor, assemble and let set.
 
Granted my pistol for hogs is my ROA, I’d not choose a ball over a wide meplat bullet for them. I created a 195 grn bullet that’s just .460” long, though I’ll be modifying my design to take up the excess space in my revolvers which will likely bring it somewhere around 210 grns. I also only use energetic powders which make my (weighed 3F Olde Eynsford) 33 grn NMA charge around standard .45 ACP and my 38 grn ROA charge around +P performance.

To your new acquisition, you might want to file the rear sight in the hammer to produce a more conducive sight picture to hunting and hitting to POA at your range. I’d also try filing the lever latch before I went to a leather thong, though the snap on thingy seems nice.
 
I use the traditional mailman's all-purpose retaining device to stop my lever from dropping.

It's a 6" long by 1/4" rubber band.
 
I’ve got plenty of measures. I replace lost ones regularly, then the prodigal returns. I’ve got a box of balls, and both kinds of caps. I’ll play with it to figure out what it likes. Seriously considered the ROA, but I’ve always wanted a walker and invented an excuse.
 
If you use a percussion handgun as backup in muzzle loading season check your state law.
In Texas a percussion revolver is NOT a muzzle loader. A single pistol shot is.
Yes I realize it make no sense but who is surprised by that.
Why a backup anyway? you have a rifle so pop them in the ear with the rifle and carry less stuff.
It has worked for me.
WB
 
It is legal in Georgia. And the rifle is the first and probably only shot. In Ga it’s not uncommon to have the opportunity for multiples on pigs. The backup is more a justification for another gun.
 
If you use a percussion handgun as backup in muzzle loading season check your state law.
In Texas a percussion revolver is NOT a muzzle loader. A single pistol shot is.
Yes I realize it make no sense but who is surprised by that.
Why a backup anyway? you have a rifle so pop them in the ear with the rifle and carry less stuff.
It has worked for me.
WB


I spoke with a game warden here in TX and was told my ROA was fine as a backup to a muzzleloader. It’s what I’d want in my hand were I to need to track down a wounded hog, though I’ve considered buck n ball from a Howdah would really be the ticket if I save up more pennies.
 

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